Page 139 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“You’re sure he’s going to call Arty?”

“The rest of his crew has already been turned to ashes. They’ve been coming up missing for months. Our Bajan friend has done his job well. Arty is all he has left,” G replies.

“Riccardo is probably ready to snap. Confirmation of the cousin is definitely going to push him.”

“Exactly. Jace, go see Arty. Offer him a million to give me the call when Riccardo orders the hit. Half up front, the other half when it’s done.”

Ny whistles. “That’s motivation. That crew has been starving without Gustloff.”

“I’ll handle it first thing in the morning,” I say.

I would go tonight, but I had two glasses of hard liquor before this wine. The cash will be easy to pull together. The safes at the Dollhouse hold more than enough.

Gio finishes his glass of wine, looking pensive. “And once Arty does the job, I have a gift for him. It’s time I start handing my brothers the puzzle pieces to put together. Dante will be hurt the most. He needs the smallest bites of this meal.”

“You think?” Ny snorts. “You need anything from me?”

“Send a few dolls to see that those wine deliverers don’t make it to their destination. Alan has been trying to transport through them. It’s not sanctioned and he’s putting Dante at unnecessary risk.

“Let’s get him the attention he’s asking for. Keep it clean. I may change my mind and have them clean up the mess. I need to see what happens with Dante and my next move.”

“Okay, I’m meeting up with Ming and the girls tomorrow. I know just who to send.”

“Admit it, your sister is the happiest you’ve ever seen her.” He gives Ny a smug grin.

“He has a point,” I chuckle. “Dante is in love with her. Have you seen the way he looks at her?”

“I know,” Ny says and gives a goofy smile.

“Wait until he realizes she’s everything he asked for,” G says.

I freeze. My mind then goes back to all those years ago when the guys weremade. My mouth falls open then I grin. I thought I was a crafty motherfucker.

I almost forgot about Dante’s wish for the perfect woman for him. Gio looks me in the eyes and smiles with recognition of my understanding.

“What? What am I missing? You two are leaving me out again.”

“Dante and Dario once told Gio what they wished for in a woman. Dario said Carleen, but Dante described Lizzy to aT. It’s like he was describing you that night. I never even thought of your sister.”

“I didn’t either until I met her. So much like Ny, but just right for my brother. I knew from that first day at the rink,” Gio boasts.

“Well, congratulations, Puppet Master and yes, I see how happy my sister is. Thank you. I really mean that,” Ny says.

“You’re welcome. It was my pleasure. My family is happy, that’s all that matters.”

“I’ll be right back. I need to go pee,” Ny says.

Gio watches until she’s inside. I groan. He has that look. I know I’m not going to like what comes out of his mouth next. He turns to me.

“Do you know if Dante has been wearing that vest?”

“Yeah, he has.”

I narrow my eyes at him, and I watch the wheels turn. I wait him out because Gio seems to see the future at times. I’m allowing him to think through whatever is pulling his attention.

“I don’t think Arty is going to double-cross me. To be honest, he’s not going to get a chance to.” He takes a pause and purses his lips. “I have this feeling as if we should be on high alert for this fundraiser.

“Kamiko and Alyona are our sharpest next to Ny and Holly. They’ll know the difference between the soundtrack I plan to use to fake everyone out. Have them on-site. If they hear something off, make sure they’re ready to snipe.”

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